The CISO cloud security conundrum: Buy vs. build vs. both

Cloud security isn’t just about finding risks — it’s about fixing them, and fast. Every organization using the cloud faces the same problem: too much data, too many alerts, and not enough resources to deal with them all. Security teams are drowning in information, struggling to separate real threats from noise, and unable to assess the real impact of a security decision on the business. The question isn’t just whether to buy cloud security solutions or build an in-house program; it’s about finding a practical way to cut through the chaos to actually secure your cloud environment.

Most companies don’t have the security expertise or bandwidth to handle cloud security on their own. Managed solutions, tools, services, and external expertise all promise automation and efficiency, but they also introduce dependencies and limitations. But while building cloud security tools in-house gives organizations control, it also requires experienced talent, resources, and constant maintenance. The reality is, neither option alone is enough. Organizations must find the right balance between automation and human insight to ensure their security strategy isn’t just checking boxes but actually reducing risk.

More data, more problems

Cloud platforms generate an overwhelming amount of data, and security teams are expected to make sense of it all. The problem? Humans can’t manually triage every alert, determine what’s exploitable, and prioritize risks effectively. Legacy approaches relying on human-led investigations and ticket queues don’t scale. Security teams need intelligent automation systems that can filter out the noise, highlight real threats, and recommend actionable fixes.

Making matters worse, security doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Every security change, whether it’s restricting permissions, modifying configurations, or patching vulnerabilities, has downstream effects on infrastructure, applications, and business operations. Without a clear understanding of those dependencies, security teams risk breaking critical systems in their attempt to protect them. In reality, even the best security teams are unlikely to function as full-time consultants to the business, no matter how experienced they are.

The case for managed cloud security tools and services

The rapid pace of cloud adoption has made it highly challenging for companies to keep up with misconfigurations, compliance requirements, and emerging threats. For organizations that lack deep cloud security expertise or don’t have time to build an in-house program from scratch, managed security solutions provide a necessary shortcut. Managed tools and services offer automation, visibility, and expert guidance to help security teams regain control.

Organizations should consider managed security tools and services under the following conditions:

• Lack of cloud security expertise: Without cloud security engineers or architects on staff, handling cloud security effectively is a major challenge. Managed solutions offer pre-configured policies, automated remediation, and security expertise that would otherwise take years to build in-house.
• Poor asset visibility: You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. Managed security solutions integrate with cloud platforms to provide real-time asset discovery and monitoring, ensuring security teams aren’t flying blind.
• Need for rapid scalability: Cloud environments expand quickly, and so do security risks. Managed solutions provide instant security scaling, keeping up with business operations.
• Compliance and regulatory pressures: Many organizations need to demonstrate security maturity to customers, regulators, or auditors. Managed solutions provide out-of-the-box compliance frameworks and automated reporting to simplify this process.
• Prioritization struggles: Security teams don’t have time to manually sort through thousands of misconfigurations. Managed solutions apply risk-based prioritization, ensuring the most critical issues get fixed first.

The key benefits of managed security solutions include:

• Automated risk identification and remediation: Instead of alerting security teams to every minor issue, managed solutions provide targeted recommendations and automated fixes.
• Security expertise on demand: Managed services offer human expertise when automation alone isn’t enough, ensuring security strategies align with business needs.
• Integration with cloud operations: Many tools work directly within existing DevOps, ITSM, and cloud platforms, reducing friction between security and engineering teams.
• Minimized business disruption: Advanced managed services analyze the potential impact of security changes before implementation, preventing unnecessary outages and downtime.

But managed solutions aren’t a silver bullet. Organizations should be aware of long-term costs, vendor lock-in, and the risks of over-reliance on external expertise. Security teams should view managed solutions as an augmentation, not a replacement, for internal security capabilities.

The case for building cloud security in-house

For organizations that have the resources, expertise, and long-term commitment, building an internal cloud security program provides the greatest degree of flexibility and control. A dedicated in-house team can develop security strategies tailored to the organization’s specific risks, compliance obligations, and business objectives.

Indicators that an organization should consider an in-house cloud security approach include:

• Strong cloud security talent: If an organization already has a team of experienced cloud security engineers and architects, it may be more efficient to build internal capabilities instead of outsourcing.
• Mature risk and asset management: Organizations with established asset tracking and risk prioritization frameworks can integrate cloud security into their existing workflows more effectively.
• Need for custom security controls: Some organizations have unique security requirements that off-the-shelf solutions can’t fully address.
• Concerns over cost and vendor lock-in: While managed solutions may seem cost-effective initially, ongoing licensing fees and reliance on external providers can introduce financial and operational risks.
• Ability to integrate security into business processes: Security isn’t just about technology; it’s about business impact. Organizations with the resources to analyze how security decisions affect broader business operations can align their risk strategy more effectively.

Key components of a strong in-house cloud security program:

• Risk-driven security strategy: Security efforts should be prioritized based on actual business impact, not just generic severity scores.
• Automated enforcement: Infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and policy-as-code frameworks ensure security policies are consistently applied across cloud environments.
• Continuous validation: Regular security testing, penetration assessments, and red team exercises help organizations stay ahead of emerging threats.
• Security operations and incident response: A well-structured security operations function ensures threats are detected, investigated, and mitigated before they escalate.
• Strong governance and security culture: Clear principles for how the organization approaches cloud security and why that particular approach matters, coupled with a security-conscious culture that promotes continuous feedback and discussion at all levels of the business, provide the framework for long-term resilience of any security program.

The reality: A hybrid approach is best

The real answer to the buy vs. build debate? The best cloud security strategies combine both approaches. No single tool or team can solve cloud security on its own. Organizations must integrate automation, expert services, and internal capabilities to create a security strategy that actually works.

Organizations should evaluate:

• Security team capabilities: Does your team have the expertise to handle cloud security effectively, or do you need external support?
• Scalability: Can your current security model scale with cloud growth, or are you already overwhelmed?
• Risk tolerance: Are you comfortable with external vendors handling security, or do you need full control over your security posture?
• Budget and resource constraints: What provides the best return for your business: investing in internal security talent or leveraging managed solutions?

Cloud security isn’t about choosing between buying tools or building an in-house program. It’s about cutting through the noise, prioritizing what matters, and making security an enabler instead of a blocker. By combining automation with human expertise, organizations can create a security strategy that’s effective, scalable, and aligned with business goals. Cloud security isn’t just about technology; it’s about making smart, informed decisions that reduce real risk.